Apparatus for treatment of gases



Sept. 9, 1941. c. L. HUNSICKER 2,255,523

APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF GASES Filed July 51, 1939 INVENTOR C/yae L.h'uns/cker ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 194 1 UNE TE TES PATENT ()FFHCE 1Claim.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for the treatment ofgaseous mediums, and is particularly applicable for the removal ofmoisture from air.

It is an object of the invention to provide compact apparatus of theabove character which will afford efiicient removal of moisture from airand without occasioning too much resistance to air flow through thesame.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the abovecharacter which can be readily regenerated by application of heat,without material deterioration.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription in which the preferred embodiments of the invention havebeen set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssecticn, illustratingapparatus incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1,partly in cross section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail showing the manner in which themoisture-absorbing elements of Figures 1 and 2 are formed and arecarried by the supporting structure.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line i i of Figure 3.

The apparatus as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the drawingconsists of a conduit H), which can be of any convenient contour, andwhich is adapted to convey a stream of air or other gas to be treated.Within this conduit there is an assembly designated generally at I whichincludes a plurality of elements with which the air contacts for thepurpose of moisture absorption. I

The supporting frame H is adapted for insertion in the conduit l andprovides a mounting for a plurality of rope-like elements I8. To supporteach of these elements, I have shown a wire I9 wound h-elicoidally aboutthe same, with the extended end ZEI of the wire serving to attach theelement to the members 2| of the supporting frame. Instead of havingthese elements extend in parallel relationship, they are preferablyinclined and crisscrossed as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in order toform tortuous passages to flow of air, thus more effectively causingcontact of the air with the surfaces oi the elements.

The elements I8 are preferably of asbestos fiber, or so-called asbestosfiberboard, carrying a moisture absorbing chemical like calcium chloridehaving the property of deliquescence. Such a chemical can be readilyincorporated in the asbestos as by impregnating the asbestos in a hotconcentrated solution of the chemical. Calcium chloride will corrodemost metals and metal alloys with which it comes into contact. To avoidsuch corrosion I prefer to make the metal parts of Mono metal, includingparticularly the parts of the frame H.

The apparatus described above is capable of efiiciently absorbingmoisture from air. Air caused to pass through the conduit in fiowsthrough the tortuous passages and is thus brought into intimate contactwith the surfaces of the asbestos and with the calcium chloride. Whenefiiciency has been impaired due to the amount of moisture carried bythe calcium chloride, the apparatus can be readily recycled orregenerated by application of heat. The asbestos fiber has sufficientabsorbing capacity to hold the calcium chloride or other moistureabsorbing chemical, irrespective of the amount of moisture which hasbeen retained.

The apparatus described above can be use and regenerated indefinitelywithout rapid deterioration. Although moisture is efliciently removedfrom air, the resistance to air flow is not great and therefore theapparatus is well adapted to equipment such as hair dryers.

Iclaim:

In apparatus for absorbing moisture from gases like air, a plurality ofrope-like elements, each of said elements being formed of asbestos fibercarrying a moisture absorbing chemical having the property ofdeliquescence, a supporting wire engaging about each of said elements,and a supporting frame for said elements to which the ends of said wiresare attached, said elements being disposed within the frame wherebypassages are formed between the elements for flow of air.

CLYDE L. HUNSICKER.

